Surrey Hospitals Foundation and SFU launch health research partnership

By AI, Created 5:00 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Surrey Hospitals Foundation and Simon Fraser University have formed a partnership to expand health research, innovation and training across Surrey and the South Fraser region. The effort supports the new Surrey Hospitals Health & Research Network as demand for care grows and Surrey Memorial Hospital sees record emergency volume.

Why it matters: - The partnership is designed to embed research closer to bedside care in Surrey, which could speed up innovation and improve patient outcomes. - The collaboration also aims to grow research capacity, support talent development and strengthen a connected health ecosystem across the South Fraser region. - The move comes as Surrey faces rising demand for care and major hospital expansion projects.

What happened: - Surrey Hospitals Foundation and Simon Fraser University established a partnership on May 14, 2026. - The agreement is meant to strengthen health research and innovation across Surrey and the South Fraser region. - The partnership marks a milestone for the Surrey Hospitals Health & Research Network, which launched earlier in 2026. - SFU is the first academic partner within the SH Network.

The details: - The partners plan to establish a dedicated fund through philanthropic investments and strategic partnerships. - The fund is intended to support sustained innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement in care. - Surrey Memorial Hospital logged more than 180,000 emergency department visits last year, the highest in B.C. - Major expansions are underway, including the new Surrey Hospital and BC Cancer Centre. - SFU’s School of Medicine will welcome its inaugural class in August 2026. - SFU describes the school as the first new medical school in Western Canada in nearly 60 years. - The partnership is meant to connect SFU researchers directly with care providers in Surrey and at the School of Medicine. - Erin Morantz said the partnership creates fundraising opportunities for hospital-based researchers and research infrastructure. - Dr. Jason Chan said research partnerships are critical for advancing care in conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

Between the lines: - The partnership ties philanthropy, academia and hospital care into one model, which can help move research from theory into practice faster. - Surrey’s rapid growth is putting pressure on health services, making local research and innovation more urgent. - SFU’s new medical school gives the university a larger role in Surrey’s health system just as the region expands its care network.

What’s next: - The partners will work to build the dedicated fund and expand hospital-embedded research support. - The SH Network is expected to continue growing collaboration among clinical, academic and philanthropic leaders. - The effort is aimed at improving care for patients and communities across Surrey and beyond.

The bottom line: - Surrey Hospitals Foundation and SFU are betting that closer ties between research and care will help Surrey keep up with demand and improve outcomes faster.